NFL Player News

Coach Andy Reid revealed Thursday that Mahomes will play the first quarter of Saturday night's preseason opener against the Cardinals, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Per Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site, once Mahomes and the team's healthy first-teamers play a quarter, QBs Gardner Minshew, Bailey Zappe and Chris Oladokun will each subsequently log a quarter of action with their respective units. While getting Mahomes some in-game reps in the preseason is nothing unusual for the Chiefs, the team likely will implement a game script designed to keep the star QB out of harms way as much as possible.

Howard (hand) hasn't been ruled out from playing in Pittsburgh's final preseason game, Mark Kaboly of 93.7 The Fan Pittsburgh reports.

Howard fractured a bone in his right hand Tuesday, which was expected to keep him out for the entire preseason. However, head coach Mike Tomlin said Howard could make an appearance in Pittsburgh's preseason finale Aug. 21 against Carolina. The 2025 sixth-round pick is competing with Mason Rudolph for the No. 2 role and was on track to have a big workload in the preseason. Skylar Thompson will get more reps in Howard's absence.

Coach Mike Tomlin noted Thursday that Rodgers is among the key skill players who won't play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Jaguars, Missi Matthews of the Steelers' official site reports.

Per the report, WR DK Metcalf, RB Jaylen Warren and TEs Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith also will sit out Saturday's contest along with Rodgers. It remains to be seen if the veteran QB plays in either of the Steelers' two following exhibition games, but ESPN.com suggests that Rodgers is open to doing so if Tomlin wants him to.

Woodside signed a contract with the Steelers on Thursday.

Woodside was released by the Bengals in April after spending the 2024 season bouncing back and forth between the team's practice squad and active roster. Having spent time with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith in Tennessee and Atlanta, the 30-year-old quarterback will act as a depth piece for the team while rookie Will Howard is dealing with a hand fracture.

Coach Liam Coen announced Thursday that the Jaguars plan to play their starters (including Lawrence) versus the Steelers in Saturday's preseason opener, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

Per the report, Coen indicated that getting Lawrence and the Jaguars' key healthy players some game reps this weekend would be beneficial, as they transition to the team's new offensive scheme. That said, Coen didn't specify how long Lawrence would stay in Saturday's game before giving way to some combo of fellow QBs Nick Mullens, John Wolford and Seth Henigan.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Thursday that it's still to be determined whether Wilson and the rest of the starters will suit up for Saturday's preseason opener against the Bills, but that rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart will play, Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post reports.

Wilson, who is entering his age-37 season as the Giants' clear starting quarterback after inking a one-year deal with the team, is essentially a known commodity under center, and with top wideouts Malik Nabers (shoulder/toe) and Wan'Dale Robinson (leg) both managing injuries, the team may not see much incentive in having the veteran signal-caller take the field this early in the preseason. The Bills starters will take the field Saturday, though, with the exception of Josh Allen being replaced by backup Mitchell Trubisky under center. Geoff Magliocchetti of SI.com reports that Wilson has made a strong impression early in training camp, especially in having fostered strong relationships with his new teammates.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Thursday that Dart will take the field during Saturday's preseason opener against the Bills, Dan Salomone of the team's official site reports.

Daboll declined to reveal whether Russell Wilson and the rest of New York's starters will suit up Sunday, but the Giants' rookie first-round QB will get a chance to take the field in some capacity. Per Matt Citak of the team's official site, offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said Tuesday that Dart is "right on schedule" in terms of his development and "continuing to grow and learn every day," though the team has consistently communicated that Wilson is locked in as New York's unquestioned starter to kick off the regular season, with Jameis Winston available as his top backup.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Thursday that he intends for all four of Green Bay's quarterbacks, including Love, to get "meaningful reps" during Saturday's preseason opener against the Jets, Zach Jacobson of 247Sports.com reports.

Love and the Packers' starters may not play more than a handful of series Saturday, especially if the plan is for all of Malik Willis, Sean Clifford and Taylor Elgersma to get significant playing time, but it will be interesting to see the 26-year-old in action with rookie first-round wideout Matthew Golden, who already seems to have played his way into a starting role alongside Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and TE Tucker Kraft. Per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, Love intends to run more this season rather than look for check-downs, which portends a higher fantasy ceiling after an MCL sprain and groin injury limited his scrambling abilities in 2024.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said Thursday that Fields (toe) will suit up for Saturday's preseason opener against the Packers, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports.

Glenn didn't say how much run New York's starting units will get Saturday, so it remains to be seen whether Fields and company will suit up for more than a few drives, but at this stage in the preseason it's uncommon for starters to handle more than a quarter. Fields has been a full participant in 11-on-11 drills since suffering a dislocated toe in practice late July, albeit while wearing a plastic shield on his cleat, but there now appear to be no tangible limitations regarding his activity level. Rich Cimini of ESPN reports that the Jets' passing game has struggled to find its groove throughout the early stages of training camp, so Saturday's preseason opener will represent a chance for Fields to alleviate those concerns.

Love said Wednesday that he wants to scramble more this season, rather than settling for check-downs, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.

Love and offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich both are on board with the QB scrambling more often, although Love noted that his lack of rushing last year was partially a product of an MCL sprain and groin injury limiting his mobility for the first half of the season. He ultimately scrambled 12 times on 451 dropbacks (2.7 percent), down from 22 scrambles on 631 dropbacks (3.5 percent) the year before, dropping from 14.5 rushing yards per game and four TDs in 2023 to just 5.5 yards per game and one TD in 2024. Love otherwise remained efficient on a per-play basis, but his fantasy value took a nosedive with the Packers becoming more reliant on their running game -- both in general and near the goal line. A healthier season from Love combined with a solid showing from rookie wideout Matthew Golden could inspire Packers coach Matt LaFleur to open things back up and throw the ball around some like he did in 2023.